# How often should a wireless Mouse be turn off to save the battery? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 7, 2026, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463 "2026-02-07T06:12:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/21 "2026-02-08T01:35:00Z")
I do turn off my wireless mice, but it’s primarily just force of habit to turn off any electricity consumer when I’m not using it. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/22 "2026-02-08T02:20:35Z")
The only obvious issue I can see is that (like most NiMH rechargable batteries) those have a maximum voltage of 1.2v, not the 1.5v the mouse would expect from an alkaline AA. Some devices don’t like that lower voltage. Standard-chemistry rechargeable cell batteries aren’t always drop-in replacements for disposable cells. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/23 "2026-02-08T02:52:44Z")
Same here. I don’t even think I realized you can turn them off. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/24 "2026-02-08T13:15:37Z")
I use a Logitech M187, and I agree with **Keith1**. In fact I have seven of them and use them for all my computers that aren’t on KVMs. I never turn them off, even at night, and replace the rechargeable AAA batteries in them about twice a year. In addition to being small and cute, they work very well on fabric surfaces. Most of my work on my latop is done sitting on a couch, laptop on the arm of my couch or on my lap and the mouse on the cushion next to me. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/25 "2026-02-08T13:24:16Z")
I guess I’m in the minority. I usually turn off the rechargeable wireless mouse when I’m done. Of course, i don’t use a mouse all that often, and i have three laptops that all move around the house, so if i didn’t turn them off they could be sitting unused for months. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/26 "2026-02-08T21:18:31Z")
Batteries have a shelf life. A small amount of power is slowly leaking away. It takes years but it is there. that’s why batteries are marked with expiration dates. A decent modern electronic design can get a standby power that is less, even significantly less, than that leakage power. A mouse only needs to wake up when you move it. If you never move it, the battery should last almost as long as it would just sitting in the package from the store. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2026, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/27 "2026-02-08T22:25:55Z")
I use both my machines and mice every day, and used to work as a programmer. USB. We never turn our mice off. Never thought about it. The battery lasts about a year I suppose. Not enough to worry about. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/28 "2026-02-09T01:28:01Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Both the cost and effort of changing the battery are trivial. I agree. Yet I persist in turning mine off whenever I’m away from the computer because old habits die hard, even as I realize I need not bother. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/29 "2026-02-09T17:29:41Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Last time I changed the batteries was November of '24. Do you remember that detail, or do you keep a record of changing your mouse batteries? If the latter, why/ ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2026, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/30 "2026-02-09T23:04:16Z")
I don’t remember specifically when batteries died. I do recall pulling out a laptop that hadn’t been used for a couple months. The mouse was usually dead. A few pitiful turds were all that was left. I had a mini-tower pc and my laptop was my mobile solution. It often sat unused for several months. Brought my laptop to computer conferences and sometimes vacations. Playing games in the motel room passes the time. I started keeping a pack of batteries in my suitcase for mouse emergencies. My Win 7 mini tower became obsolete. Laptop is my primary computer now. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/31 "2026-02-10T00:01:11Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Do you remember that detail, or do you keep a record of changing your mouse batteries? If the latter, why/ I have a note ap on my phone I record things. When I swapped batteries in a smoke alarm, when I got a haircut, etc . It only takes 2 seconds to put that stuff in. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/32 "2026-02-10T00:10:48Z")
My father would write the dates on the batteries he put in every device. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/33 "2026-02-10T01:29:59Z")
Yup, my dad also wrote the date on his cars’ oil filters. I replaced the battery in my mom’s kitchen clock. Found my dad’s post it note with dates stuck on the back of the clock. Seeing his handwriting again, two years after his funeral 💔 hit me hard. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/34 "2026-02-10T01:40:11Z")
I have a battery-powered mouse that turns off after maybe 10 minutes of non-use. There is a little button on top behind the wheel that you press to activate. The only brand name on it is Staples Canada. But that button has no other use, so I guess that’s what you would look for. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/35 "2026-02-10T11:46:27Z")
> [@Ancient\_Nerd](#): > > Batteries have a shelf life. A small amount of power is slowly leaking away. It takes years but it is there. that’s why batteries are marked with expiration dates. A decent modern electronic design can get a standby power that is less, even significantly less, than that leakage power. Batteries can also corrode if left in a device for a very long time. If a mouse is left unused for a long time, does leaving it turned on make that more or less likely to happen? ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/36 "2026-02-10T11:57:42Z")
It’s surprising to hear that people have wireless mice that last months or even a year on a charge. All of mine have had only 2-3 weeks at most, whether they’re single AAA, double AA, or built-in lithium ion rechargeable. But I also spend many hours a day on the computer (way too much to be healthy, really). That said, the modern wireless ones are amazing (we had a whole thread about them) and I don’t think I could ever go back to wired mice again. Charging overnight every few weeks is worth it. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/37 "2026-02-10T12:51:03Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Batteries can also corrode if left in a device for a very long time. If a mouse is left unused for a long time, does leaving it turned on make that more or less likely to happen? Probably doesn’t matter at all. IMO “turned on” is still, for all practical purposes, turned off. The standby draw is real, real close to zero. IME, batteries corrode through and leak into the battery compartment much, much less often than they did even 15 years ago. And vastly less than when we were all kids. So the probability of a leakthrough is already very low, then the on vs. off factor is a number very close to 1.000, be that slightly plus or minus. I’d be surprised if the difference was statistically detectable in a controlled experiment with 20 mice. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/38 "2026-02-10T12:55:16Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > batteries corrode through and leak into the battery compartment much, much less often I’ve noticed that too, anecdotally. I wonder why? Did something in their chemistry change? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/39 "2026-02-10T13:00:28Z")
My mice run out of power from time to time, too. (Much more often than people here are reporting, but less often than your mice, probably because i use them less.) But it’s not a big deal, i just plug them in, usually to a USB charger, not the laptop, and use them with an annoying wire for a little while. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463/40 "2026-02-10T13:33:42Z")
IME, alkaline batteries leak only after they’ve run down. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-should-a-wireless-mouse-be-turn-off-to-save-the-battery/1027463.md?page=3)